Supermodel Behati Prinsloo Opens Up About Suffering from Postpartum Depression

"Being a mom has changed me in many ways," says Behati Prinsloo, who has two daughters—Gio Grace, 1 month, and Dusty Rose, 2—with husband Adam Levine. Opening up about the multitude of ways that having children has transformed her life, the 31-year-old supermodel is pulling back the curtains on her battle with postpartum depression in a new essay.

"I had moments of postpartum [depression] after our first baby that I felt like [were] coming through," she writes of struggling with the severe form of clinical depression. Brought on by childbirth and characterized by anxiety, sadness, mood swings, or feeling overwhelmed, PPD affects 1 in 10 moms and the FDA recently approved the first drug designed specifically to treat it. Prinsloo goes on to credit Levine for being "incredibly supportive" and helping her get through the trying period of her life. And while Prinsloo clarifies that she didn't suffer from an extreme case of PPD, she underlines the debilitating effects it can have one's mental health no matter the extent.

"I think it's very normal, though, as a young mom and a new mom to feel helpless and to feel overly emotional, you know," she continues. "I think that the message is just that it's never too little to ask for help. So no matter how small your feelings and stress—or whatever it is about being a new mom—there's always help out there and support from family and friends."

Joining the growing list of celebrities who have spoken publicly about their experiences with PPD, such as Adele, Serena Williams, and Chrissy Teigen, Prinsloo is utilizing her platform and bravely bringing more awareness to the condition at an undeniably pivotal time for women's reproductive health.